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14 December 2023 The Many Mutations of the COVID-19 Variant: Current Perspectives on EG.5/Eris
Abayeneh Girma
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Abstract

Viral diseases pose a significant threat to public health around the world. SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) was originally identified in Wuhan, China, in 2019. Throughout the epidemic, SARS-CoV-2 has continually changed genetically, giving rise to variants that are distinct from the original virus. SARS-CoV-2 has a high-frequency mutation rate, resulting in more genetic diversity. EG.5/Eris is a subvariant and descendant of Omicron, which remains the world’s most prevalent coronavirus strain of current concern. The percentage of EG.5 recorded has steadily increased across the board. Epidemiological week 29 (17-23 July 2023) saw a 17.4% global prevalence of EG.5. Mutations in the virus’s genome can cause false-negative results in molecular detection and cause increased transmissibility, morbidity, and mortality due to a reduction in vaccine efficiency. Furthermore, these changes in S-protein structure alter the neutralising ability of neutralising antibodies (Nabs), resulting in a reduction in vaccine efficiency. Therefore, all countries should take efficient infection prevention and control measures as per the guidelines of the world, continental, and their country’s health organisations, along with vaccine and treatment investigations.

Abayeneh Girma "The Many Mutations of the COVID-19 Variant: Current Perspectives on EG.5/Eris," Environmental Health Insights 17(1), (14 December 2023). https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302231217805
Received: 30 August 2023; Accepted: 6 November 2023; Published: 14 December 2023
KEYWORDS
Coronavirus variants
Covid-19
EG.5
Eris
Omicron
SARS-CoV-2
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